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Ecopinions: Obama on Corn Syrup |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 7:26:12 PM
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By DAVID ESPO – COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — ... Obama made health care a focus of his campaign today, visiting a hospital diabetes unit. At one point in a discussion with doctors and nurses, the talk turned to prevention of the illness in youngsters. "If we just cut out soda pop," it would make a difference, he said. Asked at a later news conference about the issue, he said he hopes schools will "re-examine how easily they make soda available." Citing an increase in childhood obesity and diabetes, he said if children "are consuming vast amounts of soft drinks chock full of corn syrup, then we should, you know, consider whether we want to maybe have at least some zones like schools where they have to drink water once in a while."
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Carrie M
outthinking
3 Posts
Carrie
Argyle
NY
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2008 : 5:46:32 PM
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My family has cut out corn syrup almost entirely. It's difficult to remove it completely, but I must agree with Obama that the obesity and diabetes problem appears to be connected to corn syrup. Kids don't drink anywhere near enough water. Corn syrup is even in juice products that parents buy, like Sunny D and other drinks, and the parents think it's supposed to be good for their kids but it's just like soda only without the bubbles! I think that ADD and other related disorders are linked to the whole food situation...so many processed, colored, flavored foods going into our childrens bodies all the time. It's really sad.
Glad to see a politician with a heart for this issue.
Carrie
Living simply so others can simply live!
Sisterhood Member #147 |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2008 : 12:20:00 PM
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Wonder when people forgot that water is the healthiest (and most satisfying) drink for all of us, kids included? Seems like, as a culture, we are so easily swayed by sweets - and then we project that onto our babes. No soda or juice in our house - ever.
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Carrie M
outthinking
3 Posts
Carrie
Argyle
NY
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2008 : 07:24:10 AM
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It's sad, too, how much money is spent on sweetened drinks in homes where there seems little to spare. I used to clerk in a convenience store and so many parents would come in and buy soda with their food stamps. I had such a hard time with that. I think a lot of malnutrition happens in these homes simply because the parents don't know much better.
Carrie
Living simply so others can simply live!
Sisterhood Member #147 |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2008 : 08:24:07 AM
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Five Philadelphia schools have spent the past two years with a candy ban and healthier foods in the vending machines, and the results are eye-opening.. The number of kids who became obese during the two-year experiment was half the number of kids who became obese in schools that didn't make those efforts. Read the article and learn more about kicking junk foods out of your kid's school at OCA's Appetite for a Change Campaign. http://www.organicconsumers.org/afc.cfm
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Libbie
outstepping
157 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2008 : 09:23:03 AM
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That is so true. Schools SHOULD be safe for our kids - that includes nutritionally, safe, too. What a sad thing that I can remember eating a soda and a candy bar for lunch during Jr. High School. I really think I might have been able to sit still and learn some things if I had had just a *little* more protien and a *little* less sugar. My oldest son starts kindergarten this autumn. Have any of you done anything with your local schools to help out the "lunch" issue? Where should I start?
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2008 : 3:38:48 PM
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As much as I believe in it, I haven't done anything with the school (beyond writing an informational column for the newspaper each week on nutrition, etc). So much to do, so little time - you know how it is. But, I take control over what my daughter eats by sending lunch & snacks with her to school. I do let her buy lunch once in a while - on the more benign days. I know there are great strides being made on this issue, so I hope we catch up eventually. Here's a good resource for learning more about making changes (after all, you're an elected official!): www.farmtoschool.org
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Libbie
outstepping
157 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2008 : 9:53:11 PM
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Hey - that's a great link, Jen. Thanks! I'm going to see what I can come up with for the upcoming school year - I'm going to contact a gal in New Mexico who is our regional "leader" from that website to see what ideas she has that I might be able to use.
I think you're the website queen, Jen!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 10:49:56 AM
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You're such a cutie. I wish we could hang out & drink some tea together today! It's rainy & cool again here. Please keep me/us up to speed on your findings about the school lunch situation where you are. I feel like I'm fighting a tide here, but I'll keep on swimmin'!
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2009 : 5:11:03 PM
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Yet another reason not to eat it...
In a new study published Monday in the scientific journal Environmental Health, mercury was found in nearly 50 percent of tested samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup. The news is disturbing given that this ingredient is present in a large portion of processed American foods. According to David Wallinga, M.D., co-author of the study, "Given how much high fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the FDA to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply." A separate study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy detected mercury in nearly one-third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where high fructose corn syrup is the first or second highest labeled ingredient-including products by Quaker, Hershey's, Kraft and Smucker's.
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Ecopinions: Obama on Corn Syrup |
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